Exchange Tasks and Split Weight Allowances Overview and FAQs

When you run a dumpster exchange, Docket splits the task into two sides: the dumpster being picked up and the dumpster being dropped off. Each side carries its own weight allowance, waste material, cost per ton, and day overage cost. This matters because the dumpster being picked up is the one with waste in it, so its weight allowance is what should govern whether a client owes an overage fee.

Before this behavior was introduced, Docket calculated weight overages using the drop-off side's weight allowance instead of the pick-up side's. That meant clients could avoid overage charges they actually owed, and your business was left covering the difference without knowing it. With split weight allowances, overages are calculated using the correct values every time.

Before You Start

Here are a few things to know before you continue:

• Exchange tasks must be connected to an existing drop-off task. You can schedule the exchange directly from the drop-off task, or use Schedule Event and connect it to the drop-off task from there. Either way, you'll fill out the same fields and the workflow is the same.
• Billing Issues is where you review weight overages and add charges to invoices. It's on by default in your Dumpster Management settings.
• Weight overage fees only apply when the dumpster's rental pricing is set to Haul + Tonnage. Flat Rate rentals do not trigger weight overage charges.
• The Billing Issues tab under Assets is on by default. If you don't see it, check your Dumpster Management settings.
• Depending on your permissions, you may not be able to perform all of the actions listed in this article. Please reach out to your Admin if you require additional access. 

Understand the Two Sides of an Exchange Task

Every exchange task in Docket has a pick-up side and a drop-off side. These two sides represent the two actions happening at once: your driver is picking up the dumpster currently on site and dropping off a different one. Because these can be different sizes with different weight limits, Docket tracks their billing details separately.

Pick Up Side

The pick-up side reflects the dumpster being collected. This is the container with waste in it, so its weight allowance, cost per ton, and day overage cost are what Docket uses to calculate any overages when the task is completed.

Drop Off Side

The drop-off side reflects the new dumpster being placed. Its weight allowance and billing details apply going forward, once that dumpster is on site and actively being rented.

Please Note: Docket uses the pick-up side values to calculate weight overages on exchange tasks, not the drop-off side values. Make sure the pick-up side fields reflect the original dumpster's weight allowance and cost per ton so your billing issues flag correctly.

Schedule an Exchange Task

You can schedule an exchange from an existing drop-off task at any point after the drop-off is created. When you do, you'll fill out or confirm the details for both the drop-off side (the new dumpster going out) and the pick-up side (the dumpster coming back) in the same task.

In this example, we dropped off a 10 Yard Dumpster with a 2 ton weight allowance and will be exchanging it with a 15 Yard Dumpster with a 3 ton weight allowance.

To schedule an exchange task, follow these steps:

1. Click “+ New” to create a new Dumpster Task.
2. After selecting your customer and address, select “Exchange”.
3. Select your original Drop Off Task for the customer.
4. Select your Drop Off Dumpster Size. This is the new dumpster that will be replacing the one being picked up during the exchange task.

5. Fill out relevant Scheduling details.

   
   
    

6. Click “Weight Ticket”.
7. Add or confirm Weight Allowance (Tons). This is the maximum weight allowed before triggering a billing issue for a weight overage fee.
   • If the new dumpster is a different size than the one being picked up, Docket sets billing details for each side based on your settings for that size. Review both sides before saving to confirm the values are correct.

8. Add or confirm Cost Per Ton Over. This is how much you’ll charge per ton over what you have for Weight Allowance (Tons).
    

   Please Note: The pick-up side fields are pre-populated from the original drop-off task. Confirm they're accurate before saving. If the original drop-off task had a weight allowance of 2 tons with an overage fee of $20/ton, those values should carry through here. If the dumpster sizes match, Docket may remind you of differences in Weight Allowance (Tons), Cost Per Ton Over, or Cost Per Day Over if the values don't line up with the prior task on that rental. 
    

9. Add or confirm relevant Weight Ticket details.

10. Click “Create” to create your exchange task.

    
    
     

You'll now see the exchange task on your Dispatch page with both the pick-up and drop-off sides reflected in the task details.
 

Please Note: Depending on how you create an exchange task, the weight ticket information might appear differently. For instance, using Schedule Event will show the information side-by-side while using Schedule Next Task after opening a drop-off task will have this information in the appropriate weight ticket section for both the original drop-off and the exchange you are creating.

Complete an Exchange Task and Review Weight Overages

When a driver completes an exchange task, Docket compares the net weight entered against the pick-up side's weight allowance to determine if the client owes an overage. If the net weight exceeds the pick-up side's allowance, Docket flags it as a billing issue and prompts you to create an additional charge.

In most cases, your driver will be completing exchange tasks in the mobile app and adding weight ticket information. If you ever need to complete, change, or review an exchange task’s weight ticket information, follow these steps:

1. Open the exchange task.
2. Click “Weight Ticket”.
3. Add or confirm Net Weight (Tons). 

4. Add any other weight or additional information to the task.

   
   
    

5. Click on the “Actions” button in the top right corner.

6. Click “Mark as Complete” in the drop-down menu.

   
   
    

7. Select a Pick Up PIN for the dumpster that was picked up.
8. Select a Drop Off PIN for the dumpster that was dropped off.
9. Confirm or add the date and time.

10. Click “Confirm”.

    
    
     

When the net weight exceeds the pick-up side's weight allowance, such as 2.5 tons for a dumpster with 2 ton weight allowance, Docket will prompt you to create a weight overage charge. The amount is calculated using the pick-up side's Cost Per Ton Over value, not the drop-off side's.

There will be a Billing Issues banner on the task and a weight overage will be flagged in the Billing Issues tab in Assets. This is where you can review and add an additional charge to the client’s invoice. 
 

Review Billing Issues for an Exchange Task

After an exchange task is completed with a weight overage, Docket logs it in your Billing Issues tab. This is where you can review the details and add the overage charge to the client's invoice without having to dig through individual tasks.

To review and resolve a weight overage billing issue from an exchange task, follow the these steps:

1. Click “Assets” in the top-left corner.
2. Click the “Billing Issues” tab.

3. Locate the exchange task with the weight overage and click the "scale" icon.

   
   
    

4. Click the “$” icon.

   
   
    

5. Click the invoice to add the overage to.

   
   
    

The weight overage will be added to the invoice and the billing issue will be removed from the Billing Issues tab.
 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

These FAQs address common questions and quick clarifications to help you use this feature with confidence.

What happens if the pick-up side fields are left blank on an exchange task?

Always confirm the pick-up weight allowance and cost per ton before completing an exchange task. If those are missing or wrong, Docket may not flag the overage correctly and you could undercharge your client.

Why does the next task after an exchange show the new dumpster's weight allowance?

That's expected. Once the exchange is complete and the new dumpster is on site, any future tasks connected to that rental (like the final pick-up) use the drop-off side's weight allowance. The pick-up side values only govern the exchange task itself.

Can I update the pick-up side fields after the exchange task is created?

Yes. You can edit the weight ticket fields on the task before it's marked complete. If you notice the pick-up side values are incorrect, open the task, expand the Weight Ticket section, and update the fields before the driver completes it.

Will the updated split exchange create billing issues for past jobs?

No. Split exchange only applies going forward and does not reprocess past exchanges. You won't see a wave of old weight overage billing issues just from it being turned on. Historical tasks are only re-evaluated if someone edits and saves them, and exchanges that already had weight overage charges created won't be flagged again.

One exception: if an older drop-off task already had a mismatch between the scheduled dumpster size and the delivered size, that size mismatch alert may appear in Billing Issues. That's separate from weight overage billing issues. If you encounter old or unexpected tasks appearing in Billing Issues, Support can verify the specific task to determine the cause.

 

If you have any questions, please reach out to our Support team through the chat widget on the bottom of this page or by sending an email to support@yourdocket.com!